It’s too hot for gnocchi. Frankly, it’s too hot to do much of anything besides sitting very still, eating an ice cream cone naked…
I digress.
Gnocchi is the theme for this edition of Hay Hay It’s Donna Day, hosted by Cafe Lynnylu. I must admit I’ve been remiss in participating in the last few. Maybe I wasn’t inspired by the theme…or maybe I just didn’t have time to get inspired. When I heard about the gnocchi, I felt that stir to throw my hat in the ring.
The challenges for me with the theme of gnocchi are:
1) They are beige little unphotogenic lumps unless you use a colorful ingredient that might yield you, oh say, orange little unphotogenic lumps.
2) They are a legendary pain in the hiney.
3) Did I mention it’s hot?
How in the world was I going to lighten up gnocchi so I wouldn’t feel like I ate a mass of raw pasta dough…sitting around sweating and rubbing my stomach? I found two recipes on-line that helped me combine two of my favorite worlds: light-ish ricotta and goat cheese gnocchi and amazing summertime heirloom tomatoes. With the addition of some basil in the gnocchi and extra shavings of goat cheese on top, this quickly took on a wonderful Caprese-esque quality.
I have made gnocchi several times for work…but the recipes I’ve used in the past have seemed so labor intensive. This recipe, found on StarChefs.com, couldn’t have been easier. I enlisted some help from my friend and usual Hay Hay It’s Donna Hay suspect Tony Clark to document the gnocchi-making process. Some helpful hints that I found while making my gnocchi:
For the salad portion of the program, I was inspired by this recipe on NapaStyle by Michael Chiarello. I used yellow and orange heirloom tomatoes for the carpaccio base of the salad. Next, I made a simple vinaigrette which I tossed the heirloom tomatoes and the salad greens in. Don’t fret about making the tomatoes uniform – leave some whole and cut them different sizes. With the addition of the warm gnocchi and some extra shavings of cheese on top – I used hard goat cheese rather than ricotta salata – this became a wonderful, simple, and light entree salad.
Warm Basil and Goat Cheese Gnocchi with Tomato Carpaccio and Heirloom Tomato Salad – serves 4
For The Gnocchi:
– Combine cheeses, egg, basil (if adding), salt and pepper in bowl. Add flour gradually, mixing by hand, until incorporated. Dough should be a bit sticky. Dust work surface with more flour and in small amounts, roll into long ropes, about ½ – inch in diameter. Cut into 1- inch lengths. Reserve on floured sheet tray. Bring 4 quarts salted water to boil. Lower heat. Add gnocchi. Gnocchi are cooked when floating. Scoop out of water with slotted spoon.
For the salad:
– In a medium or large bowl, whisk together the EVOO, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Taste for balance and adjust to your liking. Using a mandoline or sharp chef’s knife, slice the tomatoes as thinly as possible and arrange on the plate. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the smaller heirloom tomatoes and the salad greens in the vinaigrette and top the carpaccio with salad mixture.
– Bring water to a boil and cook gnocchi per the recipe. With a slotted spoon, remove gnocchi from water and drain well. Toss gnocchi in remaining vinaigrette and scatter on salad. Using a vegetable peeler, shave thin shavings of cheese over the salad. Serve immediately.
Thanks to my photo buddy and dining companion Tony Clark for the lovely photos and the good company.
Comments
barbara Aug 14, 2007 08:08 pm
Wonderful Tami. I used the Donna recipe and then switched to the Spotted Pig Gnudi method of rolling spoonfuls of dough into a ball. So easy I plan on making them this way always. Thanks for joining HHDD . It’s nice to see you back.
ashleystravel Aug 14, 2007 08:08 pm
Yummy!
I was planning on using goat cheese for my entry too.
Great idea of pairing it with the salad.
And is that a long top or a dress? The part I can see if it is adorable.
Lynne Aug 15, 2007 04:08 am
Looks great, Tami! Thanks for entering HHDD#14.
Patricia Scarpin Aug 15, 2007 06:08 am
Your gnocchi looks delicious, Tami – it is so beautifully served!
Sage Cat Aug 15, 2007 10:08 am
What a great Summery version of gnocchi!
Mmm gnocchi Mmm naked ice cream… Sorry, got distracted there for a moment – it is hot here too!
s'kat Aug 16, 2007 08:08 am
The thought of actually making gnocchi has always scared me!
Your looks fun- and tasty!
rd Aug 16, 2007 12:08 pm
this looks so good! and yeah, when are we going to get a break from the heat? i’m over it. :)
Chris Aug 18, 2007 08:08 pm
Yes – it has been soooo hot here! The air helps, thank goodness. Your gnocchi look fab!
The Cooking Ninja Sep 2, 2007 12:09 am
I didn’t know what is gnocchi till I met my significant other. Then he threw me the challenge of making my very first gnocchi. :) It was a lot of work but the satisfaction I get from the final result paid off. It was super delicious !